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The Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday night to advance a sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran.

Getting into it: The bill, which was pushed heavily by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, cleared its procedural hurdle hours after his funeral at Washington National Cathedral, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky watching the count from the Senate gallery, seated between Senators Roger Wicker. Senators put Graham’s name on it, and it now carries the title the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

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The bill lets the US Trade Representative impose up to 100 percent tariffs, down from the 500 percent floated in earlier versions, on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas over the 12 months before enactment, plus the top five countries helping Russia dodge energy sanctions. China and India have consistently ranked as the two biggest buyers of Russian crude. Negotiators wrote in an exemption for American allies still buying small amounts of Russian energy if they can show they are cutting their reliance, and added requirements that the administration report back to Congress on enforcement.

Beyond the tariffs, the bill would also impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russian political officials, oligarchs and their family members, banks and financial institutions, and the shadow fleet of tankers Moscow uses to move oil around existing restrictions. It also folds in a provision aimed at China’s investments in Russian weapons production. The president would be required to impose mandatory sanctions on certain Russian government-affiliated financial institutions within 30 days of enactment, though he can waive them by certifying a national security justification to Congress.

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In a statement, Senator Wicker said, “The Lindsey Graham sanctions bill will advance the cause of freedom, and it will combat Vladimir Putin’s war machine. It will go after Vladimir Putin, his inner circle and the shadow fleet they use to evade sanctions. It will hold accountable those who purchase the most Russian oil and gas. It will also take aim at China’s investments in Russian weapons production. And it will maintain sanctions pressure on Iran. These policies will save human lives.”

After meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, President Zelenskyy said “We are thankful that this bill puts very important sanctions pressure on Russia it is very important and really gives — it’s not only about money, how to stop how to finance this war, but it’s also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people.”

That was not enough for eleven Democrats, who joined Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky in voting no. Senator Peter Welch of Vermont said the language letting the White House go after so-called facilitators of Russian oil sales is too loose, and could let the president tag “any country for any reason as long as he labels them a facilitator.”

Senate Finance ranking member Ron Wyden put out a statement calling it dangerous to hand Trump massive new tariff powers.

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